Group Rides

The Cardinia Climbers are a group of cyclists based out of Berwick/Beaconsfield. Who’s appreciation for cycling and the local hills has brought them together. The group has helped encourage riders to meet up and go out for social rides. They show riders the best spots to ride and now offers regular social rides. All at 5:30 am and suitable for those that want to get a decent ride in before work. Each ride lasts around one and a half hours each, and new members are welcome to join.

Cardinia Climbers

I had a quick chat with Robbie Rowlands, the founder of the Cardinia Climbers about the social rides:

The Cardinia Climbers came about as I wanted to bring cyclists in the area together so we could arrange group rides and get to know each other. It’s just a beautiful place to ride and I hoped to be able to make a difference. We now have regular social rides, we help riders get stronger and give them an excuse to get up early to ride their bike more.

Cycling offers many opportunities to meet great and wonderful people and to get out there to experience new rides. You can really develop as a rider, riding with different groups. Some are great for socialising, others challenge you to be faster and to encourage you to reach your peak. Some just love riding and want to continually find new areas to ride.

I have had the honour of riding in a number of riding groups over the years & have put together some profiles to help you find new places to ride and people to meet.

In the year 2000. Four mates met at the corner of Warrigal Road and the Burwood Highway for a group ride. They envisioned bringing together a larger group of like-minded cyclists. And the 6am-ers were formed. A group dedicated to riding & climbing. 16 years on and the 6am-ers are now one of Melbourne’s most established and longest running cycling groups. Based in the eastern suburbs.

6am-ers

6am-ers

Their philosophy is about creating an environment that brings cycling enthusiasts together. Who love to ride & love to climb. Most of their members have families and are time poor. They have understood that cycling is more than about the ride. They value teamwork and friendship. And many life-long friendships have developed as a result of what the group has been able to achieve.

Many of their members race road and mountain bikes and they often will race as a team or in groups. If you’re interested in joining one of their group rides a fairly high level of fitness is required to ride. They suggest that you should be able to climb the 1:20 in at least 19 minutes. To maintain a position at the back of the group.

Guests are welcome to join the 6am-er rides anytime. Regular riders can be nominated by a current member. Membership will enable you to participate in the group’s email, blog and forum discussions and race as part of the 6am-ers team. Most importantly, it will allow you to wear the kit.

Group rides:

6am-ers Tuesday 6am-er Hurtbox. Looking for some hurt for breakfast? This ride is a bunch ride to the Nepean Highway. Where you will turn left and roll turns right through to St. Kilda where with any great group ride arrive for Coffee in Albert Park at about 7:20 am. Expect a hard ride and is peppered by a couple of sprints along the way.

Time: 5:45 am

Duration: Allow 1.5 hours

Meet: North-east corner of Warrigal Road and Burwood Highway

(pick-up points for this ride – the first from the corner of North and East Boundary Roads around 6:05 am and the second at 6:15 am from the corner of Rowans Road (opposite Highett Road) and Neapean Highway)

6am-ers Thursday Boulevard repeats. The ride is usually two repeats of the Yarra Boulevard. With morning coffee is in Richmond around 7:30 am before heading to work

The Rowville Riders

The Rowville riders was established by Aaron Twigg. With the aim to unite riders who share a passion to ride. What started with a handful of mates. Has grown into quite a popular and successful group with close to 200 members. The Rowville riders offers a community for riders to share the cycling experiences. And offer regular social group rides which are open to riders of all abilities to come along to.

I was invited along for one of their Beach Road social rides. There was a sense that they are more of a community than just a bike group. A number of riders were proudly wearing their Rowville Riders team kit. I sensed a strong bond amongst the group & felt that the Rowville Riders had brought a number of people together. The ride was really relaxed and it was all about the ride. With the pleasure of riding not to just go out & smash themselves. It was good to see amongst the group riders of all abilities & there was no egos. No pissing contest. Everyone helped each other out & that was special.

The experience

The group hosts several social rides each week. Whilst most social groups may only cater for one type of rider. Whether it be for sprinters or the climbers. What is unique about Rowville is that it is located almost halfway between Beach Road and the Dandenong’s. Due to their ideal location. They mix their social rides between the hills, and on the flat roads out to Beach Road.

The group uses social media to good advantage to communicate between one another and to plan their rides. They use an app which is called “Teamapp” to communicate. You can download this free app from the Apple Store. Teamapp allows riders to chat, share photos, post rides, and offer one another advice on the best places to ride. The app also has the benefit of privacy. You know that what you are posting won’t be viewed by people not associated with the group. This helps to add to the bond this group has with one another. This is a fantastic app, and a great way to meet new & great friends.

Group rides

Rowville riders Tuesday night cruise. A great way to unwind after work. You set off from Waterford Valley golf course and cruise around the local bike paths at a nice relaxing pace.
Routes vary with distance approximately 30 to 35 km in length.

Time: 6:30 pm

Duration: Allow 1.5 hours

Rowville riders Thursday night ride sets of from the Waterford Valley Golf Club. And heads up the Devil’s Elbow. This is a casual no-drop ride and riders regroup at the top of the 1 in 20 in Sassafras. You then get to enjoy the fast flowing descent down the 1 in 20.

Time: 7:00 pm

Duration: Allow 2 hours

There are also weekend rides which are organised on a regular basis. All rides are organised through the Teamapp. For all social rides, please ensure you are self sufficient and for your own personnel safety lights are required!

In the event of extreme weather conditions Rowville Riders may recommend a route change, or cancellation of the ride.

What started as a small group of half a dozen riders has grown into one of the area’s biggest social rides. Rain, hail or shine expect this social ride attracts a large number of riders. The Spider Bikes loop has a bit for everyone with rolling hills, fast paced sprints & a super fast descent down Guys Hill to cap off a memorable ride.

The Spider Bikes ride takes you on a journey through the township of Officer & up one of Cardinia’s most iconic climbs “Officer Road”. This climb takes you up to Upper Beaconsfield. Offering over 3 and a half kilometers of challenging climbing. Take the climb at your own pace and if you’re into inflicting pain on yourself. There is usually a pissing contest up the front. The more sensible rider will cruise up and appreciate the scenery along the way. It’s your choice.

Enjoy a short break at Split Rock Road whilst everyone re-groups. From here the ride becomes quite undulating as you loop through Split Rock Road & around Stoney Creek Road. There are numerous sharp short pinches along the way which are guaranteed to give the lungs & legs a good workout.

There is a 2nd rest stop at Sally’s Big Arse Burgers before riders get to enjoy the descent down Guys Hill. This is guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.

The climb up Stoney Creek Road

This is a casual no-drop ride & there are several rest stops along the way. The ride is suitable for riders of all abilities and new riders are most welcome.

As cyclists we do enjoy a cup of Coffee, and one of the best parts of this ride is stopping at the 4 Figs Café after for a cup of Coffee& a chat.

The BBN ride is a group ride for riders looking for an early mid-week ride. This is great for those that want to get some extra k’s in their legs before work. The loop takes you through part of the stunning Green Wedge area. You can expect to be treated to some magnificent scenery along the way. This is a ride which is enjoyable whether you’re a sprinter or a climber. This course has a bit for everyone with flat sprints, rolling hills, fast speed descents and of course some great company along the way.

This is a casual no-drop ride & there are several rest stops along the way.

Hussey’s Lane

The highlight of the BBN ride is the climb through the majestic and scenic Hussey’s Lane. At 1.4 km in length with an average gradient of 4% this may not sound like a challenging climb. However with some subtle undulating gradient changes, we can guarantee that this climb has a real sting to it, and good for the odd pissing contest.

After ride Coffee

What better way to cap off a memorable bike ride than with a Café stop at the end. Riders will meet at the Nuts about Coffee Café (80 South Parade, Blackburn).
There’s a good chance that bikes may be mentioned over Coffee.

This is a social ride and new members are welcome. Good lights are essential as some roads are very poorly lit during the winter months.

BBN ride

For insurance reasons, all participants should have an appropriate Cycling Australia licence. This is available via the club website (see the Membership details for licence information).

Parking is available in and around the Train Station (parking restrictions in place)

Group Ride: RFWYA Dandenongs

This is a social ride group for the pure hill junkies. The group takes a tour of the steep backstreets that run parallel to Forest Road. With gradients that can peak at 24%. The easiest climb you will be looking at an 8% average, and a moderate level of fitness is required. You can take the hills as hard or slow as you like. The group will wait at the top till the last rider comes along before moving onto the next climb. You are guaranteed to do a lot of vertical in a short space of time. Its a nice little bonus to have some good company along the way.

Kia Ora Parade

Ideally suited for those wishing to fit in a quick ride before work. It is a good excuse to set your alarm early to do a big ride.

This is a social ride and new riders are welcome.

As cyclists we do enjoy a cup of Coffee. One of the best parts of this ride is stopping at the Rapture Café after. For a cup of Coffee & a chat, and maybe an excuse to talk bike.